Italy contemplates fate of expiring geothermal concessions in Tuscany

Rome: Italy’s Ministry of Environment is currently deliberating whether to extend or offer in a public tender the eight geothermal concessions in Tuscany set to expire in 2024.

Italy’s Minister for the Environment Monia Monni announced that they are currently deliberating the next steps for eight expiring geothermal concessions in the Tuscany region. At this point, there are two options – to grant the request for the extension of the concessions, or to make a public tender for the renewal of the concesssions.

Of the 33 active geothermal plants in Tuscany, eight are due to expire by 2024 – these are the Bagnore, Canneto, Chiusdino, Larderello, Lustignano, Piancastagnaio, Riosecco, and Travale sites. All eight sites are currently owned by Enel Green Power Itali Srl.

The details of the possible extension were announced by Monni after an inquiry made by Council Diego Petrucci of the Brothers of Italy. According to Monni, the region had started a scientific collaboration agreement with the Institute of geosciences and georesources of the National Research Council (Cnr-Igg) to launch a preparatory study and a formal working group within the region has been established to help decide on the matter.

Being considered in this decision is the “extreme complexity of the procedure” and the fact that a presumed tender will have value that is much higher than any other tender managed previously by the Tuscany region.

“Thanks to the councilor for the news that brings attention to the minister’s openness to the possible extension. We all know that the tender is the most complex that Tuscany has ever faced, we would have expected the Region to get started in time to reach the natural expiry of the concessions without the risk of an interregnum phase which would be disastrous for everyone.” said Petrucci.

“The extension must be sufficiently broad, we believe at least ten years. A short extension would probably be even more harmful than any interregnum. Our geothermal energy is a further exceptional element of this extraordinary region, a worldwide excellence. We risk wasting it, because geothermal wells must be cultivated to prevent them from running out,” Petrucci added.